EPA-OW: NRSA Habitat 2009 (Wade): Physical Habitat Characterization in small wadeable streams
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Official Method Name
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Section 6.2: Physical Habitat Characterization—Wadeable Streams (of National Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2009)) |
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Current Revision
| 2009 |
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Media
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WATER (Waterbody type - Wadeable stream) |
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Instrumentation
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Field Equipment |
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Method Subcategory
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Physical |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Protocol
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EPA-841-B-07-009 - National Rivers and Streams Assessment: Field Operations Manual (2009) |
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Brief Method Summary
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The procedures are employed on a support reach length 40 times its baseflow wetted width, as described in Section 4. Measurement points are systematically placed to statistically represent the entire reach. Stream depth and wetted width are measured at very tightly spaced intervals, whereas channel cross-section profiles, substrate, bank characteristics and riparian vegetation structure are measured at larger intervals. Woody debris is tallied along the full length of the sampling reach, and discharge is measured at one location. The tightly spaced depth and width measures allow calculation of indices of channel structural complexity, objective classification of channel units such as pools, and quantification of residual pool depth, pool volume, and total stream volume. There are five components of the physical habitat characterization (Table 6.2-1). |
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Scope and Application
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This method describes the procedure for collecting water quality, physical habitat characteristics in wadeable streams that are sampled as part of the U.S. EPA's National Rivers and Streams Assessment. Physical habitat in streams includes all those physical attributes that influence or provide sustenance to organisms within the stream. The physical habitat of a stream varies naturally, thus expectations differ even in the absence of anthropogenic disturbance. Within a given physiographic-climatic region, stream drainage area and overall stream gradient are likely to be strong natural determinants of many aspects of stream habitat. This is because of their influence on discharge, flood stage, and stream power (the product of discharge times gradient). |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Interferences
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Follow the guidelines for choosing the habitat sampling increment based on channel width to determine the thalweg profile proceedure. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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It may be necessary to set up intermediate (supplemental) slope and bearing points between a pair of cross-section transects if you do not have direct line-of-sight along (and within) the channel between stations. |
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Sample Handling
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Maximum Holding Time
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Relative Cost
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Unknown |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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